Could the Oppenheimer Blue diamond break all records?

This spring auction season, gem connoisseurs all over the world will be keeping their eyes on a blue diamond dubbed “the gem of gems”, which is going under the hammer at Christie’s Geneva on 18 May. Even those of us who can’t afford to partake in the bidding will be mesmerised by the incredible gem, which goes by the name Oppenheimer Blue and. At 14.62ct, it is already a record breaking diamond as the largest Fancy Vivid blue diamond ever offered at auction.

The Oppenheimer Blue is the second most expensive jewel to sell at auction. It went under the hammer for $57.7 million at Christie’s Geneva in May 2016.

The emerald-cut stone is named after its previous owner Sir Philip Oppenheimer, whose family controlled De Beers for 80 years before selling its stake to Anglo American Plc. in 2012. Boasting both a perfect hue and impeccable proportions, it is estimated to sell for $38-45 million at next month’s Magnificent Jewels Sale at Christie’s Geneva.

Given that the diamond is more than two carats bigger than the current record holder - the 12.03ct Blue Moon of Josephine, which sold for $48.4m at Sotheby’s Geneva last year - it certainly has the potential to become the world’s most expensive diamond. “The Oppenheimer Blue can only be described as one of the rarest gems in the world,” says François Curiel, chairman of Christie’s Asia Pacific and China. “It is the gem of gems.”

The auction on 18 May will also feature 46 lots from the collection of Princess Gabriele zu Leiningen's jewels, including signed pieces by Cartier, Boucheron, Tiffany & Co, and Van Cleef & Arpels. Born into a successful German entrepreneurial family, Princess Gabriele is a trained lawyer who worked as a consultant to UNESCO on equality and women’s rights. She gained her royal title when she married Prince Karl-Emich zu Leiningen in 1991, although the couple divorced seven years later. In 1998 she married Prince Karim Aga Khan, the 49th Iman of the Ismaili community, who founded the Aga Khan Development Network, which works to improve living conditions for the poor in Africa, Asia and the Middle East. During their 16-year marriage, the prince showered Gabriele with unique and extravagant jewellery gifts, bolstering her already substantial collection.

The star piece going under the hammer next month is the famous Pohl diamond, which was sold to the Chrysler family in 1943 and bought by Cartier in 1998. Cut from a 287ct rough stone, the D colour 36.09ct rectangular-shaped diamond is set into a Cartier ring and has a pre-sale estimate of $3.8-5.5m.

​Another magnificent jewel is a Cartier emerald and diamond necklace, which is expected to fetch $2.5-3.5 million.

Another magnificent jewel is a Cartier emerald and diamond necklace with a detachable 39.7ct Colombian emerald, which is expected to fetch $2.5-3.5m. Van Cleef & Arpels fans will be delighted to see not one, but three mystery-set ruby and diamond jewels, including a brooch, ring and earrings. In total, the collection is expected to fetch $15 million and Princess Gabriele says she hopes the jewels will “continue to bring joy and happiness to their new owners”.

​The Oppenheimer Blue, described as one of the rarest gems in the world, goes up for auction at Christie's.

The famous Pohl diamond is set into a Cartier ring and has a pre-sale estimate of $3.8-5.5 million.

​Another magnificent jewel is a Cartier emerald and diamond necklace, which is expected to fetch $2.5-3.5 million.

This Cartier emerald and diamond necklace features a detachable 39.7ct Colombian emerald.

A five-strand natural pearl and diamond necklace is expected to fetch between $350,000-500,000.

Editor's Pick

The Jewellery Editor is for sale

Help us make the future bright

Since founding The Jewellery Editor in 2010, we have grown our digital magazine to be the number one global source of information and inspiration for fine jewellery and luxury watches.

3,500 articles, 150 videos and a reach of over 2 million per month on social media later, we have offered unparalleled and highly respected coverage of our sector. However, despite our editorial success, we are financially struggling as an independent publisher.

Entirely funded, owned and run by Christine and Maria in London, we are now looking to sell The Jewellery Editor so that it can continue to grow in the hands of a different owner. As e-commerce becomes a priority in our industry, we believe there is huge potential for engaging editorial content and are seeking a buyer who shares our values and passion so that under their guidance we can give a bright future to the platform.

We can’t commit to financing the website for much longer so if we don’t manage to initiate any meaningful conversations in the next few weeks, the website will be frozen on 1st April 2018. If and when we find a suitable partner we will revive it and take it to the next stage.

Despite her Scandinavian name, Åse has lived in the UK since the age of 10, save for a couple of years in the US and Ireland. She has more than 15 years of journalistic experience, specialising in the fashion and ...

Subscribe to our newsletter

Get The Edit straight to your inbox, three times a week

We use our own and third party cookies to improve your experience and our services. If you continue, we consider that you accept their use. You can get more information on your website at cookies policy.